MONTEREY COUNTY — Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC) has selected 28 emerging nonprofit managers to join the LEAD (Leadership, Education and Development) Institute’s 2025 cohort.
LEAD is a year-long professional development institute offered by the CFMC’s Center for Nonprofit Excellence to foster strong, effective leadership in the local nonprofit sector.
“LEAD Institute is a unique program that combines in-person learning and professional coaching to provide new leaders with resources and skills they need to lead a thriving team, develop a network of peer support and work towards a more sustainable and equitable vision for Central Coast communities. It’s an investment in developing new leaders and growing organizational effectiveness and mission impact,” said Reid Norris, program manager, Center for Nonprofit Excellence.
This year’s LEAD Institute features nonprofit professionals from diverse fields of nonprofit activity, including the arts, education, health and human services.
The 2025 class includes participants from nonprofits based in Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties. They join a network of more than 200 nonprofit leaders who have engaged with LEAD since the program launched in 2009.
“If LEAD isn’t a model for other community foundations throughout the state and country, it should be,” said Taylor Honrath, 2023 LEAD Institute Alum. “LEAD is precisely the program that community-based organizations should offer to enable local organizations and their leaders to have a greater impact. The program provided me with new insights and tools and introduced me to passionate, inspiring people in the community that are doing meaningful work every day.”
The 2025 LEAD Institute participants are:
- Colleen Beye, Executive Director, NAMI Monterey County
- Ambry Capistrano, Philanthropy Program Manager, Monterey Peninsula Foundation
- Jonathan De Anda, General Manager, Salinas Regional Sports Authority
- Erin Detka, Marketing and Communications Manager, United Way Monterey County
- Sonia K. Diego Martinez, Executive Director, YWCA of Watsonville
- Kate Englund, Program Director, Sun Street Centers
- Sam Gomez, Deputy Director, The Epicenter
- Jennifer Hatch, Program Director, Bridge House, Interim Inc.
- Cindy Hyatt, Housing Lead, Downtown Streets Team
- Lisa Kincaid, Director of Development, Veterans Transition Center of California
- Nicholas Kite, Corporate Account Manager, Montage Health
- Leann Leon, Program Manager, Ecology Action
- Gabriela Manzo, Lead Case Manager, Rancho Cielo
- Yesenia Molina, Watsonville Arts Program Manager, Arts Council Santa Cruz County
- Isai Pazos, Executive Director, Senderos
- Amy Price, Director of Development, Community Homeless Solutions
- Juan Ramirez, Community Program Manager, Elkhorn Slough Foundation
- Stephanie Rios, Director of Education Programs, Watsonville Wetlands Watch
- Adriana Rocha, Director of Development, Door to Hope
- Shawna Rodgers, Donor Relations Manager, CCOF Foundation
- Guillermo Rodriguez, CEO, Community Food Bank of San Benito
- Gabrielle Rubio, Deputy Director of Finance and HR for ReStores, Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay
- Olivia Tauvinkl, Case Supervisor, CASA of San Benito County
- Katie Thompson, Executive Director, Save Our Shores
- Karen Trevino, Advocate Supervisor, Recruitment & Training Manager, CASA of Monterey County
- Arnold Westphal, Executive Director, Breakthrough Men’s community
- Danielle Wong, Program Director, Grey Bears
- Nora Yerena, Founder and Co-Executive Director, Raíces y Cariño
LEAD is designed to maximize the leadership potential of capable nonprofit managers through monthly leadership and professional development seminars.
The LEAD Institute emphasizes individualized professional growth by identifying core values and building resilience to address the opportunities and challenges facing the community. Participants gain new insights, abilities and a network of support to assume greater leadership roles.
Applications for LEAD 2026 will be available in summer 2025. For information or to apply, visit the website.
